Rates of postpartum depression soared during the pandemic, affecting one in three new mothers in 2020 compared to one in eight before Covid. While numbers are returning to pre-pandemic levels, experts warn the crisis is far from over. Many women still struggle in silence, with under-diagnosis and lack of access to care remaining significant issues.
Pam Lins, a corporate finance worker, experienced severe anxiety and irrational behaviour eight months after giving birth during the first year of the pandemic. She finally sought help after her husband intervened. “I do remember feeling relieved at the time that I could finally acknowledge that I needed help,” she said. Her story reflects the experience of many new mothers who dismissed symptoms of postpartum depression.
According to the CDC, 80% of US pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, with one in four stemming from mental health crises. Despite a decade-long push for screening, less than 20% of pregnant and postpartum patients were screened for depression as of 2021. Dr Clayton Shuman of the University of Michigan noted that while stigma around mental health is decreasing, “we have not really moved the needle much when it comes to perinatal mental health.”
The pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in women's health, with decreased access to lactation support and increased rates of suicidal ideation. A University of Michigan study found that a fifth of women with postpartum depression reported thoughts of self-harm. Medical organisations like ACOG and AAP have called for routine screenings, but they are not consistently offered.
